The infamous Glenn Gaetz of Liberation BC posted the following question regarding the Pink Salmon Festival:
“What better way to celebrate an animal than to kill a whole bunch of them? How is that respect?”
That question made me stop and think. Gaetz has an interesting point, which is why I was particularly amused to realize that there is a completely different salmon celebration going on next weekend. Amused, because this salmon celebration has been voted in the 2008 Georgia Straight’s Best of Vancouver awards as “Best Salmon Celebration That Does Not Involve Dinner.”
On BC Rivers Day, Sunday September 27th, at Vanier Park near The Maritime Museum, the False Creek Watershed Society will stage the 6th Annual Salmon Celebration, 12:00 – 4:30 pm.
The Salmon Celebration is a free event created to honour the spirit of the salmon that historically lived in the streams that flowed into False Creek. It also supports the Mayor’s proclamation of September 2009 as “Wild Salmon Month” in Vancouver.
To quote Celia Brauer, the Artistic Director of the Salmon celebration: “This event is essentially about the plight of our wild salmon. But rather than offering a doom and gloom message, especially in the light of the recent dismal salmon returns, the Salmon Celebration seeks to inspire and create hope. It puts people in touch with those who are working to save salmon habitat and wilderness areas and encouraging urban sustainability.”
At Vanier Park, there will be crafts, stilt-walking, food, exhibits, local musicians, entertainment, wooden boat building, storytelling, an environmental fair and First Nations participation.
I’m going to take a guess that none of the food at this celebration will involve salmon. I hope Glenn Gaetz finally approves.
Last modified: September 18, 2009
“What better way to celebrate an animal than to kill a whole bunch of them? How is that respect?â€
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Animals have always succoured human existence, their flesh feeds us and in turn we respect their bodies as we consume them; in the case of Salmon we should be caring for their spawning grounds and not polluting the sea.
I suspect Glen Gaetz has never seen anything apart from a dead Salmon in Safeway, in that regard he’s not unique.
A quick trip to the Fraser Valley to view the millions of Pink Salmon returning to the Fraser, the Harrison, the Chehalis and the Chilliwack/Vedder system might open his myopic eyes a bit.